Al Roker Makes Documentary on Childhood Obesity

One of the most popular weight-loss spokespersons is gearing up to show the world the ills of childhood obesity. NBC network's "Today" show weather man and reporter, Al Roker, is producing a documentary called "Childhood Obesity: Danger Zone."

THE DOCUMENTARY

The 52 year-old NBC reporter is perhaps most famous for his girth, and for his own battles with weight control. It is his experience with the struggle that fueled his desire to produce the childhood obesity documentary. The program itself addresses the 12 million teens and children who are dealing with health risks associated with their weight. Per the Associated Press, the program will also feature children who have overcome their weight battles.

The show will air on cable's Food Network channel on Saturday (March 31^st) at 9:00 p.m. EST. Roker mentions that obesity in young children has literally "quadrupled" in the past four decades. He credits sugary sweets, lack of physical exercise (including the lack of physical education programs in schools), and the consumption of fast food-as the primary causes for childhood obesity.

"If you run the numbers out, this would be the first generation that has a shorter life span than their parents. That's scary." Roker declares.

Roker further claims that parents are also primarily responsible for the roles that food and exercise play in their children's lives. He attributes childhood obesity to the addition of electronic devices such as video games and computers, which cause children to become more sedentary. He claims that children pattern their behavior after their parents. Thus, if parents are not leading healthy lifestyles, then neither will the children.

THE WEATHERMAN'S STORY

Today, Al Roker weighs approximately 230 pounds, though he at one time had dropped to 200 pounds. He claims that his own weight issues started around the time he entered college in upstate New York. When he reached 330 pounds in 2002, he elected to have gastric bypass surgery; now he watches what he eats and exercises.

Married to fellow TV personality, Deborah Roberts, Roker admits to doing the majority of the cooking, preparing healthy low-fat meals. His younger children (8 and 4 years old) stay active in sports. But he also laments that his 8 year-old daughter has inherited his body type; so weight is more of an issue for her.

"The Rokers are a stocky group. We're from the Caribbean. We're built low to the ground and stocky to withstand hurricanes," jokes Roker as he speaks about his family genes.